The reply posted by (kdroberts) mentions CSA's, (Community Supported Agriculture) which is very interesting.CSA's can go a long way in helping one to stretch a few dollars when it comes to purchasing food.

In addition it also supports the local community farmers and businesses!

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I learned 2 things a long time ago when I was not diabetic, just broke, with a husband and 2 small children to feed. Make a weekly menu!!! Make a shopping list!!! (and remember to take it with)I also have a big garden, but not everyone is able to do that.It didn't take long to figure out that we ate better at lower cost when I did this. I start by looking thru the ads, and making a list of things on sale that we use a lot, (this week, hamburger for 1.99 if you purchase a 10 lb pkg) or are almost out of (sometimes these are not on sale, we just need them). I make my list according to the store layout, so shopping is a little quicker, and I'm less likey to get distracted by going back and forth.Then I make a menu, hopefully using things in the ad, but often, I'm using things I previously purchased on sale, and froze. I also have a fairly good size place to store canned goods. When I make the menu, I check to see if I already have an item before automatically adding it too the list. (think spices especially)I use a 1/2 sheet size spiral notebook, and have 4 lines for each day. I note the name of the dish, where I found the recipe, and sometimes the amount of time required. I will also include a note to the effect of "get meat out for Tues" so it's thawing ahead of time instead of getting nuked in the microwave.All this mean 1 trip to the store, which saves time, and gas(!$!$!$!), I know what time I need to start, have the recipes handy and have quite a variety of healthy meals.If I want to make something that's kind of pricey(seafood chowder-yum!) I will but ingredient a little at a time and spread the cost over several trips.There are also seasonal deals: turkey around Thanksgiving, fish at lent etc. Buy ahead and freeze.

I just finished writing a reply to someone's questions about healthier and less expensive shopping tips. I also mentioned the localharvest website in that post and will check out the other resources you've mentioned above. There are various coupon websites that can save a few bucks here and there on "good" products like vegetables, low carb pastas, Atkins bars, and such. Not all manufacturer coupons are for the products shown on shows like "Extreme Couponing." It just flat out annoys me to see people rushing around the store to buy candy bars, fruit rolls ups and Gatorade. Just once I would like to see an episode with people who actually care about their minds, bodies and souls. In many cases generic brand products are just as good as name brands with coupons. The best way I have found to reduce food costs is with planning: shopping with a list, looking at sale ads, making a menu plan. It make take a little time to get it all together and down to a workable process but time is money. Here is the discussion/reply on budget shopping: http://www.diabeticconnect.com/discussions/13...

Now it's back to clipping my coupons!MaysWe try to clip the ones which we can use, but after that program on The Learning Chanel about the food and t-paper hoarders on Extreme Couponing many of the stores in my area tightened their limits on coupons.Tom